The Evolution of Patient Assistance Programs: A Holistic, Person-Centered Approach

The landscape of patient assistance is changing. Traditional models focused solely on covering medications no longer address the full spectrum of challenges faced today. Rising healthcare costs, insurance complexities, and social determinants of health create barriers that demand a more holistic solution that does not prevent people from accessing the care they need.

Accessia Health, an independent, charitable patient assistance organization, is redefining the traditional patient assistance model - going beyond paying for medication copays to include education, case management, legal advocacy, and flexible financial support to pay for a range of healthcare expenses. By aligning with the growing needs of patients, we’re creating a more inclusive, sustainable healthcare system.

The Financial Burden of Care
Americans collectively hold $220 billion in medical debt, disproportionately affecting those with rare and chronic conditions. This debt will grow as individuals struggle to afford essential care.

For healthcare leaders, addressing cost-related care delays is a pressing concern. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation:

• 27% of adults have delayed or skipped medical care due to cost.
• 1 in 10 adults has rationed medication - cutting pills or skipping doses to stretch prescriptions.
• Nearly half of insured adults worry about affording monthly premiums.

While these figures are concerning, the impact is even greater for those with rare and chronic conditions, who often require expensive, ongoing treatments. And with new cell and gene therapies emerging, more people will be seeking access to these therapies. Accessia Health’s model offers the ability to pay for essential medical expenses such as the travel costs to get to treatment centers, diagnostic testing, and more.

Empowering Patients Through Flexibility

With over 90 disease programs, our patient assistance model called, Your Assistance, Your Choice, allows individuals to allocate their funding to the medical expenses most critical to them - whether paying for insurance premiums, therapy services, copays, or even dental care. By reducing financial burden and giving patients some flexibility over their expenses, we can improve adherence, health outcomes, and overall well-being.

Beyond Financial Assistance

Financial support alone isn’t enough – many struggle with understanding the healthcare ecosystem, finding resources in their community, or advocating for their coverage. Accessia Health addresses this gap by offering:

• Healthcare education. Our Amplify Your Voice, Control Your Care webinar series equips patients with the knowledge to make informed healthcare decisions; covering topics such as overcoming access barriers, Medicare changes, disability benefits, and healthy living.
• Legal support. In addition, our free legal aid program, A.C.C.E.S.S®, helps individuals with disability legal aid, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income claims. Our Attorneys have an excellent track record of success in securing SSDI benefits, more than doubling the national disability approval rate.
• Personalized case management services. Our team assists with navigating healthcare options – helping people better understand their condition, coverage benefits, and plan formularies.
• Community-based programs. Ensuring equitable healthcare access requires collaboration to fill service gaps and deliver comprehensive, person-centered care. Accessia Health’s community-based initiatives and collaborations allow us to create customized assistance programs that support the specific needs of each area we serve.

The Future of Patient Assistance

Rising healthcare costs demand an evolved approach to patient assistance. A system that only covers medication copays is not enough—support is needed throughout each stage of the healthcare journey. We’re ensuring that financial assistance is just one piece of a broader strategy to improve access and outcomes. By prioritizing education, advocacy, and holistic support, we make it possible for more people to get the life-saving care they need.

About Accessia Health

Accessia Health, a national charitable patient assistance organization, removes healthcare barriers for people with rare or chronic conditions. Services include case management, financial assistance, education and legal support. Our flexible funding model covers copays, insurance premiums, diagnostics, therapy, travel and more. Learn more at www.accessiahealth.org